Ms Thorning-Schmidt compared Australia's foreign aid contributions to those of the UK. Australia only commits 0.22 of its gross national income compared to the UK's 0.7.

However, Ms Thorning-Schmidt did not make her accusations lightly.

"I'm a foreigner and I shouldn't be telling Australia what Australia should be doing," she said.

"This is an amazing country, there's so much compassion in this country, there's such a generosity of spirit in this Australia. The only thing I can say is when your development budget is at an all-time low, which it is right now, it feels like Australia is not taking its place in the world."

The former Danish PM used some time before the panel to discuss Islam critic Ayaan Hirsi Ali who cancelled her appearance on the show at the last minute due to safety concerns.